Methods and apparatus of discovering flus network media processing capabilities using 5g edge data network architecture

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for media processing and streaming are provided. A method includes receiving, by a first application operating on an application server, a live session request from a second application operating on a user device separate from the application server to start a Framework for Live Uplink Streaming (FLUS) session; obtaining a list of a plurality of FLUS sinks; selecting a FLUS media sink operating on a sink device from among the plurality of FLUS sinks, wherein the sink device is separate from the application server and the user device; sending a workflow request to a Network-Based Media Processing (NBMP) source to start an NBMP workflow associated with the FLUS media sink; and sending a response to the second application including session information for establishing the FLUS session using the NBMP workflow and the FLUS media sink.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser.No. 17/337,964, filed on Jun. 3, 2021, which claims priority from U.S.Provisional Application No. 63/050,517, filed on Jul. 10, 2020, and U.S.Provisional Application No. 63/066,703, filed on Aug. 17, 2020, in theUnited States Patent & Trademark Office, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD

Embodiments of this disclosure are directed to media processing andstreaming methods and systems, more particularly to Moving PictureExperts Group (MPEG) Network-Based Media Processing (NBMP) and Frameworkfor Live Uplink Streaming (FLUS) methods and systems.

BACKGROUND

Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) Network-Based Media Processing(NBMP) project has developed a concept of processing media on the cloud.“Text of ISO/IEC DIS 23090-8 Network-based Media Processing”, ISO/IECJTC 1/SC 29/WG 11 (N 18657), dated Jul. 12, 2019, is incorporated hereinin its entirety.

3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Framework for Live UplinkStreaming (FLUS) protocol provides a mechanism for uplink streaming ofmultimedia content from a source device to a network andsending/distributing that content to one or more destinations. “3rdGeneration Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Servicesand System Aspects; Uplink Streaming (Release 16)”, 3GPP TS 26.238V16.2.0, dated September 2019, is incorporated herein in its entirety.

3GPP edge protocol defines the general architecture for enabling edgeapplication, including the discovery of hardware capabilities of an edgeelement. “3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical SpecificationGroup Services and System Aspects; Architecture for enabling EdgeApplications (Release 17)”, 3GPP TS 23.558 V0.3.0, dated June 2020, isincorporated herein in its entirety.

SUMMARY

According to one or more embodiments, a method for processing mediacontent in Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) Network Based MediaProcessing (NBMP) is provided. The method includes: receiving, by afirst application operating on an application server, a live sessionrequest from a second application operating on a user device separatefrom the application server to start a Framework for Live UplinkStreaming (FLUS) session; obtaining a list of a plurality of FLUS sinks;selecting a FLUS media sink operating on a sink device from among theplurality of FLUS sinks, wherein the sink device is separate from theapplication server and the user device; sending a workflow request to anNBMP source to start an NBMP workflow associated with the FLUS mediasink; and sending a response to the second application including sessioninformation for establishing the FLUS session using the NBMP workflowand the FLUS media sink.

According to one or more embodiments, an apparatus for processing mediacontent in Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) Network Based MediaProcessing (NBMP) is provided. The apparatus includes at least onememory configured to store program code; and at least one processorconfigured to read the program code and operate as instructed by theprogram code, the program code including: receiving code configured tocause the at least one processor to receive, by a first applicationoperating on an application server, a live session request from a secondapplication operating on a user device separate from the applicationserver to start a Framework for Live Uplink Streaming (FLUS) session;obtaining code configured to cause the at least one processor to obtaina list of a plurality of FLUS sinks; selecting code configured to causethe at least one processor to select a FLUS media sink operating on asink device from among the plurality of FLUS sinks, wherein the sinkdevice is separate from the application server and the user device;first sending code configured to cause the at least one processor tosend a workflow request to an NBMP source to start an NBMP workflowassociated with the FLUS media sink; and second sending code configuredto cause the at least one processor to send a response to the secondapplication including session information for establishing the FLUSsession using the NBMP workflow and the FLUS media sink.

According to one or more embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readablemedium storing computer instructions is provided. The computerinstructions are configured to, when executed by at least one processorof a device for processing media content in Moving Picture Experts Group(MPEG) Network Based Media Processing (NBMP), cause the at least oneprocessor to: receive, by a first application operating on anapplication server, a live session request from a second applicationoperating on a user device separate from the application server to starta Framework for Live Uplink Streaming (FLUS) session; obtain a list of aplurality of FLUS sinks; select a FLUS media sink operating on a sinkdevice from among the plurality of FLUS sinks, wherein the sink deviceis separate from the application server and the user device; send aworkflow request to an NBMP source to start an NBMP workflow associatedwith the FLUS media sink; and send a response to the second applicationincluding session information for establishing the FLUS session usingthe NBMP workflow and the FLUS media sink.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features, the nature, and various advantages of the disclosedsubject matter will be more apparent from the following detaileddescription and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an environment in which methods, apparatuses, andsystems described herein may be implemented, according to embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of example components of one or more devicesof FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an NBMP system, according to embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a 3GPP FLUS architecture, according toembodiments.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a network architecture, according toembodiments.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a network architecture, according toembodiments.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a network architecture, according toembodiments.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a network architecture, according toembodiments.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a network architecture, according toembodiments.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a network architecture, according toembodiments.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a network architecture, according toembodiments.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a network architecture, according toembodiments.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an example process for networkcapability discovery, according to embodiments.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a network architecture, according toembodiments.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an example process for managing capabilitiesof a media streaming network, according to embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an environment 100 in which methods, apparatuses,and systems described herein may be implemented, according toembodiments. As shown in FIG. 1 , the environment 100 may include a userdevice 110, a platform 120, and a network 130. Devices of theenvironment 100 may interconnect via wired connections, wirelessconnections, or a combination of wired and wireless connections.

The user device 110 includes one or more devices capable of receiving,generating, storing, processing, and/or providing information associatedwith platform 120. For example, the user device 110 may include acomputing device (e.g., a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tabletcomputer, a handheld computer, a smart speaker, a server, etc.), amobile phone (e.g., a smart phone, a radiotelephone, etc.), a wearabledevice (e.g., a pair of smart glasses or a smart watch), or a similardevice. In some implementations, the user device 110 may receiveinformation from and/or transmit information to the platform 120.

The platform 120 includes one or more devices as described elsewhereherein. In some implementations, the platform 120 may include a cloudserver or a group of cloud servers. In some implementations, theplatform 120 may be designed to be modular such that software componentsmay be swapped in or out depending on a particular need. As such, theplatform 120 may be easily and/or quickly reconfigured for differentuses.

In some implementations, as shown, the platform 120 may be hosted in acloud computing environment 122. Notably, while implementationsdescribed herein describe the platform 120 as being hosted in the cloudcomputing environment 122, in some implementations, the platform 120 maynot be cloud-based (i.e., may be implemented outside of a cloudcomputing environment) or may be partially cloud-based.

The cloud computing environment 122 includes an environment that hoststhe platform 120. The cloud computing environment 122 may providecomputation, software, data access, storage, etc. services that do notrequire end-user (e.g. the user device 110) knowledge of a physicallocation and configuration of system(s) and/or device(s) that hosts theplatform 120. As shown, the cloud computing environment 122 may includea group of computing resources 124 (referred to collectively as“computing resources 124” and individually as “computing resource 124”).

The computing resource 124 includes one or more personal computers,workstation computers, server devices, or other types of computationand/or communication devices. In some implementations, the computingresource 124 may host the platform 120. The cloud resources may includecompute instances executing in the computing resource 124, storagedevices provided in the computing resource 124, data transfer devicesprovided by the computing resource 124, etc. In some implementations,the computing resource 124 may communicate with other computingresources 124 via wired connections, wireless connections, or acombination of wired and wireless connections.

As further shown in FIG. 1 , the computing resource 124 includes a groupof cloud resources, such as one or more applications (“APPs”) 124-1, oneor more virtual machines (“VMs”) 124-2, virtualized storage (“VSs”)124-3, one or more hypervisors (“HYPs”) 124-4, or the like.

The application 124-1 includes one or more software applications thatmay be provided to or accessed by the user device 110 and/or theplatform 120. The application 124-1 may eliminate a need to install andexecute the software applications on the user device 110. For example,the application 124-1 may include software associated with the platform120 and/or any other software capable of being provided via the cloudcomputing environment 122. In some implementations, one application124-1 may send/receive information to/from one or more otherapplications 124-1, via the virtual machine 124-2.

The virtual machine 124-2 includes a software implementation of amachine (e.g. a computer) that executes programs like a physicalmachine. The virtual machine 124-2 may be either a system virtualmachine or a process virtual machine, depending upon use and degree ofcorrespondence to any real machine by the virtual machine 124-2. Asystem virtual machine may provide a complete system platform thatsupports execution of a complete operating system (“OS”). A processvirtual machine may execute a single program, and may support a singleprocess. In some implementations, the virtual machine 124-2 may executeon behalf of a user (e.g. the user device 110), and may manageinfrastructure of the cloud computing environment 122, such as datamanagement, synchronization, or long-duration data transfers.

The virtualized storage 124-3 includes one or more storage systemsand/or one or more devices that use virtualization techniques within thestorage systems or devices of the computing resource 124. In someimplementations, within the context of a storage system, types ofvirtualizations may include block virtualization and filevirtualization. Block virtualization may refer to abstraction (orseparation) of logical storage from physical storage so that the storagesystem may be accessed without regard to physical storage orheterogeneous structure. The separation may permit administrators of thestorage system flexibility in how the administrators manage storage forend users. File virtualization may eliminate dependencies between dataaccessed at a file level and a location where files are physicallystored. This may enable optimization of storage use, serverconsolidation, and/or performance of non-disruptive file migrations.

The hypervisor 124-4 may provide hardware virtualization techniques thatallow multiple operating systems (e.g. “guest operating systems”) toexecute concurrently on a host computer, such as the computing resource124. The hypervisor 124-4 may present a virtual operating platform tothe guest operating systems, and may manage the execution of the guestoperating systems. Multiple instances of a variety of operating systemsmay share virtualized hardware resources.

The network 130 includes one or more wired and/or wireless networks. Forexample, the network 130 may include a cellular network (e.g. a fifthgeneration (5G) network, a long-term evolution (LTE) network, a thirdgeneration (3G) network, a code division multiple access (CDMA) network,etc.), a public land mobile network (PLMN), a local area network (LAN),a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), atelephone network (e.g. the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)), aprivate network, an ad hoc network, an intranet, the Internet, a fiberoptic-based network, or the like, and/or a combination of these or othertypes of networks.

The number and arrangement of devices and networks shown in FIG. 1 areprovided as an example. In practice, there may be additional devicesand/or networks, fewer devices and/or networks, different devices and/ornetworks, or differently arranged devices and/or networks than thoseshown in FIG. 1 . Furthermore, two or more devices shown in FIG. 1 maybe implemented within a single device, or a single device shown in FIG.1 may be implemented as multiple, distributed devices. Additionally, oralternatively, a set of devices (e.g. one or more devices) of theenvironment 100 may perform one or more functions described as beingperformed by another set of devices of the environment 100.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of example components of one or more devicesof FIG. 1 . The device 200 may correspond to the user device 110 and/orthe platform 120. As shown in FIG. 2 , the device 200 may include a bus210, a processor 220, a memory 230, a storage component 240, an inputcomponent 250, an output component 260, and a communication interface270.

The bus 210 includes a component that permits communication among thecomponents of the device 200. The processor 220 is implemented inhardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. Theprocessor 220 is a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processingunit (GPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), a microprocessor, amicrocontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmablegate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), oranother type of processing component. In some implementations, theprocessor 220 includes one or more processors capable of beingprogrammed to perform a function. The memory 230 includes a randomaccess memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and/or another type ofdynamic or static storage device (e.g. a flash memory, a magneticmemory, and/or an optical memory) that stores information and/orinstructions for use by the processor 220.

The storage component 240 stores information and/or software related tothe operation and use of the device 200. For example, the storagecomponent 240 may include a hard disk (e.g. a magnetic disk, an opticaldisk, a magneto-optic disk, and/or a solid state disk), a compact disc(CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a floppy disk, a cartridge, amagnetic tape, and/or another type of non-transitory computer-readablemedium, along with a corresponding drive.

The input component 250 includes a component that permits the device 200to receive information, such as via user input (e.g. a touch screendisplay, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a button, a switch, and/or amicrophone). Additionally, or alternatively, the input component 250 mayinclude a sensor for sensing information (e.g. a global positioningsystem (GPS) component, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and/or anactuator). The output component 260 includes a component that providesoutput information from the device 200 (e.g. a display, a speaker,and/or one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs)).

The communication interface 270 includes a transceiver-like component(e.g., a transceiver and/or a separate receiver and transmitter) thatenables the device 200 to communicate with other devices, such as via awired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination of wired andwireless connections. The communication interface 270 may permit thedevice 200 to receive information from another device and/or provideinformation to another device. For example, the communication interface270 may include an Ethernet interface, an optical interface, a coaxialinterface, an infrared interface, a radio frequency (RF) interface, auniversal serial bus (USB) interface, a Wi-Fi interface, a cellularnetwork interface, or the like.

The device 200 may perform one or more processes described herein. Thedevice 200 may perform these processes in response to the processor 220executing software instructions stored by a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium, such as the memory 230 and/or the storagecomponent 240. A computer-readable medium is defined herein as anon-transitory memory device. A memory device includes memory spacewithin a single physical storage device or memory space spread acrossmultiple physical storage devices.

Software instructions may be read into the memory 230 and/or the storagecomponent 240 from another computer-readable medium or from anotherdevice via the communication interface 270. When executed, softwareinstructions stored in the memory 230 and/or the storage component 240may cause the processor 220 to perform one or more processes describedherein. Additionally, or alternatively, hardwired circuitry may be usedin place of or in combination with software instructions to perform oneor more processes described herein. Thus, implementations describedherein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitryand software.

The number and arrangement of components shown in FIG. 2 are provided asan example. In practice, the device 200 may include additionalcomponents, fewer components, different components, or differentlyarranged components than those shown in FIG. 2 . Additionally, oralternatively, a set of components (e.g. one or more components) of thedevice 200 may perform one or more functions described as beingperformed by another set of components of the device 200.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, an NBMP system 300 isprovided. With reference to FIG. 3 , the NBMP system 300 may include anNBMP source 310, an NBMP workflow manager 320, a function repository330, one or more media processing entities 350, a media source 360, anda media sink 370.

The NBMP source 310 may receive instructions from a third party entity380, may communicate with the NBMP workflow manager 320 via an NBMPworkflow API 392, and may communicate with the function repository 330via a function discovery API 391. For example, the NBMP source 310 maysend a workflow description document(s) (WDD) to the NBMP workflowmanager 320, and may read the function description of functions storedin the function repository 330, the functions being media processingfunctions stored in memory of the function repository 330 such as, forexample, functions of media decoding, feature point extraction, cameraparameter extraction, projection method, seam information extraction,blending, post-processing, and encoding. The NBMP source 310 may includeor be implemented by at least one processor and memory that stores codeconfigured to cause the at least processor to perform the functions ofthe NBMP source 310.

The NBMP source 310 may request the NBMP workflow manager 320 to createworkflow including tasks 352 to be performed by the one or more mediaprocessing entities 350 by sending the workflow description document,which may include several descriptors, each of which may have severalparameters.

For example, the NBMP source 310 may select functions stored in thefunction repository 330 and send the workflow description document tothe NBMP workflow manager 320 that includes a variety of descriptors fordescription details such as input and output data, required functions,and requirements for the workflow. The workflow description document mayinclude a set of task descriptions and a connection map of inputs andoutputs of tasks 352 to be performed by one or more of the mediaprocessing entities 350. When the NBMP workflow manager 320 receivessuch information from the NBMP source 310, the NBMP workflow manager 320may create the workflow by instantiating the tasks based on functionnames and connecting the tasks in accordance with the connection map.

Alternatively or additionally, the NBMP source 310 may request the NBMPworkflow manager 320 to create workflow by using a set of keywords. Forexample, NBMP source 310 may send the NBMP workflow manager 320 theworkflow description document that may include a set of keywords thatthe NBMP workflow manager 320 may use to find appropriate functionsstored in the function repository 330. When the NBMP workflow manager320 receives such information from the NBMP source 310, the NBMPworkflow manager 320 may create the workflow by searching forappropriate functions using the keywords that may be specified in aProcessing Descriptor of the workflow description document, and use theother descriptors in the workflow description document to provisiontasks and connect them to create the workflow.

The NBMP workflow manager 320 may communicate with the functionrepository 330 via a function discovery API 393, which may be a same ordifferent API from the function discovery API 391, and may communicatewith one or more of the media processing entities 350 via an NBMP taskAPI 394. The NBMP workflow manager 320 may include or be implemented byat least one processor and memory that stores code configured to causethe at least processor to perform the functions of the NBMP workflowmanager 320.

The NBMP workflow manager 320 may use the NBMP task API 394 to setup,configure, manage, and monitor one or more tasks 352 of a workflow thatis performable by the one or more media processing entities 350. In anembodiment, the NBMP workflow manager 320 may use the NBMP task API 394to update and destroy the tasks 352. In order to configure, manage, andmonitor tasks 352 of the workflow, the NBMP workflow manager 320 maysend messages, such as requests, to one or more of the media processingentities 350, wherein each message may have several descriptors, each ofwhich have several parameters. The tasks 352 may each include mediaprocessing functions 354 and configurations 353 for the media processingfunctions 354.

In an embodiment, after receiving a workflow description document fromthe NBMP source 310 that does not include a list of the tasks (e.g.includes a list of keywords instead of a list of tasks), the NBMPworkflow manager 320 may select the tasks based on the descriptions ofthe tasks in the workflow description document to search the functionrepository 330, via the function discovery API 393, to find theappropriate functions to run as tasks 352 for a current workflow. Forexample, the NBMP workflow manager 320 may select the tasks based onkeywords provided in the workflow description document. After theappropriate functions are identified by using the keywords or the set oftask descriptions that is provided by the NBMP source 310, the NBMPworkflow manager 320 may configure the selected tasks in the workflow byusing the NBMP task API 394. For example, the NBMP workflow manager 320may extract configuration data from information received from the NBMPsource, and configure the tasks 352 based on the configuration data.

The one or more media processing entities 350 may be configured toreceive media content from the media source 360, process the mediacontent in accordance with the workflow, that includes tasks 350,created by the NBMP workflow manager 320, and output the processed mediacontent to the media sink 370. The one or more media processing entities350 may each include or be implemented by at least one processor andmemory that stores code configured to cause the at least processor toperform the functions of the media processing entities 350.

The media source 360 may include memory that stores media and may beintegrated with or separate from the NBMP source 310. In an embodiment,the NBMP workflow manager 320 may notify the NBMP source 310 when aworkflow is prepared and the media source 360 may transmit media contentto the one or more of the media processing entities 350 based on thenotification that the workflow is prepared.

The media sink 370 may include or be implemented by at least oneprocessor and at least one display that is configured to display themedia that is processed by the one or more media processing entities350.

The third party entity 380 may include or be implemented by at least oneprocessor and memory that stores code configured to cause the at leastprocessor to perform the functions of the third party entity 380.

As discussed above, messages from the NBMP Source 310 (e.g. a workflowdescription document for requesting creation of a workflow) to the NBMPworkflow manager 320, and messages (e.g. for causing the workflow to beperformed) from the NBMP workflow manager 320 to the one or more mediaprocessing entities 350 may include several descriptors, each of whichmay have several parameters. In cases, communication between any of thecomponents of the NBMP system 300 using an API may include severaldescriptors, each of which may have several parameters.

Referring now to FIG. 4 , a block diagram of a 3GPP FLUS architecture400 of an embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted. The 3GPPFLUS architecture 400 may include a first environment 402 (e.g. a userenvironment that includes one or more user devices) and a secondenvironment 404 (e.g. a user environment or a network). The firstenvironment 402 may include one or more capture devices 406 and a FLUSsource 408. The FLUS source 408 may include a control source 410, amedia source 412, an assistance receiver 414, and a remote controltarget 416. The second environment 404 may include a FLUS sink 418, anassistance sender 420, and a remote controller 422. The FLUS sink 418may include a control sink 424 and a media sink 426.

Any number of the capture devices 406, control source 410, media source412, assistance receiver 414, and remote control target 416 may beimplemented by a same or different at least one processor and memory,storing computer instructions, of the first environment 402. Also, anynumber of the control sink 424, media sink 426, assistance sender 420,and remote controller 422 may be implemented by a same or different atleast one processor and memory, storing computer instructions, of thesecond environment 404.

Communication between the first environment 402 and the secondenvironment 404 may be provided by, for example, a network. For example,the communication may be provided via an F-C link, an F-U link, an F-Alink, and an F-RC link, which may be for example APIs. The F-C link mayrepresent end points of a communication route between the control source410 and the control sink 424. The F-U link may represent end points of acommunication route between the media source 412 and the media sink 426.The F-A link may represent end points of a communication route betweenthe assistance receiver 414 and the assistance sender 420. The F-RC linkmay represent end points of a communication route between the remotecontrol target 416 and the remote controller 422.

The FLUS source 408 may receive media content from one or more of thecapture devices 406 within the first environment 402, or connected tothe first environment, and forward the media content to the FLUS sink426. The FLUS sink 426 may forward the media content to a decoding andrendering function and/or to a processing or distribution sub-functionwithin the second environment 404.

The control source 410 may control, via the F-C link, the control sink424 to process received media content for subsequent downstreamdistribution, and may select FLUS media instantiation. The F-C link mayrepresent interactions associated with the creation and modification ofthe configuration of the FLUS sink 418. For example, the F-C link mayallow the control source 410 to select a FLUS media instantiation,provide static metadata associated with each media session present inthe FLUS session, and select and configure the processing anddistribution sub-functions.

The media source 412 and the media sink 426 may, using the F-U link, setup one or more media sessions and subsequent media data transmissionsvia media streams. FLUS media instantiation may be defined as part of aFLUS session. Multiple media streams may be established for one FLUSsession. A media stream may contain media components of one or moremedia content types (e.g. audio and/or video). A FLUS session may becomposed of one or more media streams containing, for example, the samecontent type (e.g. multiple media streams of video).

The assistance sender 420 may send, via the F-A link, assistancemessages to the assistance receiver 414. The FLUS source 408 may beconfigured to alter behavior of the FLUS media function (e.g. mediasending behavior of the media source) within the FLUS source 408 basedon the assistance messages. Assist information within assist messagesmay pertain to, for example, network related conditions, viewership orengagement information from content recipients, or user preference data.An example recommendation issued by the assistance receiver 414 to themedia source 412 may be to only upload the first 5 seconds of video tothe FLUS sink 418, due to current absence of viewership of live uplinkstreaming content.

The remote controller 422 may send, via the F-RC link, control messagesto the remote control target 416. The control messages may includecommands such as, for example, to start or stop a media upstreamingprocess in the FLUS source 408. The FLUS source 408 may be configured toalter behavior of the media source 412 based on the control messages.The remote controller 422 may, via the F-U link, provide media sinkinformation to the FLUS source 408, select a FLUS media instantiation,and determine capture device settings and other FLUS source parameters.

Embodiments may relate to various scenarios to deploy NBMP with 5G FLUS.Embodiments may provide a general architecture and its variations, aswell as an example call flow for each scenario.

As discussed above, In NBMP standard, the NBMP Source is the entityproviding the workflow description to Workflow Manager to create, run,manage and monitor a media workflow. The interaction between NBMP Sourceand Workflow Manager is through a set of NBMP Operation APIs. In thecase of the 3GPP FLUS protocol, the source device of media streamsestablishes an uplink session with a Sink through the network. The FLUSAPIs allows the source device to control the session and also the Sinkto provide feedback or remote control of the source device.

The current 3GPP FLUS protocol supports including NBMP WorkflowDescription Document (WDD) as part of the session control update by thesource device. However, it does not include the actual deploymentscenarios for use of NBMP with 5G FLUS.

For deployment of NBMP with FLUS, embodiments may extend thearchitectures discussed above. For example, FIG. 5 illustrates anembodiment of an architecture 500, which extends architecture 400 byincluding an application UA 504 in first environment 402, by includingFLUS control sink 424 and FLUS media sink 426 in sink 502, which may bea sink device, and by including an application EA 508 in an externalapplication server 506 in communication with first environment 402 andsink 502. In order to avoid unnecessary duplication, redundantdescription has been omitted.

In addition, architecture 500 shows link F1, link F2, link F3, link F5,and link F7, which may be for example APIs. As can be seen in FIG. 5 ,link F1 may represent end points of a communication route betweenapplication EA 508 and FLUS control sink 424. Link F2 may represent endpoints of a communication route between FLUS media sink 426 and otherelements or devices. Link F3 may represent end points of a communicationroute between FLUS control sink 424 and FLUS media sink 426. Link F5 mayrepresent end points of a communication route between FLUS controlsource 410 and application UA 504. Link F7 may represent end points of acommunication route between FLUS media source 412 and application US504. Link F8 may represent end points of a communication route betweenapplication EA 508 and application UA 504

FIGS. 6-10 illustrate different deployment scenarios based on thegeneral architecture of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 6 illustrates an architecture 600 in which elements fromarchitecture 500 of FIG. 5 are combined with elements from architecture300 of FIG. 3 . In order to avoid unnecessary duplication, redundantdescription has been omitted. As can be seen in FIG. 6 , in architecture600, external application server 506 includes NBMP source 310, NBMPworkflow manager 320, and media processing entity 350. In addition, ascan be seen in FIG. 6 , architecture 600 includes NBMP/FLUS media source602, which may correspond to one or more of NBMP media source 360 andFLUS media source 412, and origin server 604, which may correspond toNBMP media sink 370. In addition, in embodiments application EA 508 maycorrespond to third party entity 380, link N1 may represent end pointsof a communication route between application EA 508 and NBMP source 310,link N2 may correspond to NBMP workflow API 392, and link N3 maycorrespond to NBMP task API 394.

Referring to FIG. 6 , an example of steps of establishing, operating,and tearing down a FLUS-NBMP session using architecture 600 may proceedas follows:

-   -   1. Application UA 504 makes a request through link F8 to        application EA 508 to start a live session.    -   2. Application EA 508 requests a list of FLUS Sinks from a Sink        Discovery Server (not shown).    -   3. Sink Discovery Server responds to application EA 508 request.    -   4. Application EA 508 picks a Sink 502 and finds its FLUS Media        Sink 426 address.    -   5. Application EA 508 retrieves the user profile and identifies        the resources needed to run the service.    -   6. Application EA 508 requests NBMP Source 310 to start an NBMP        Workflow.    -   7. NBMP Source 310 builds the WDD, and requests NBMP Workflow        Manager 320 to instantiate the Workflow.    -   8. NBMP Workflow Manager 320 discovers various MPEs and finds        enough number of MPEs to run the workflow    -   9. NBMP Workflow Manager 320 instantiates the workflow.    -   10. NBMP Workflow Manager 320 responds to NBMP Source 310 with        updated WDD.    -   11. NBMP Source 310 acknowledge workflow instantiation to        application EA 508.    -   12. Application EA 508 responds to Application UA 504 with Sink        Control information and Media Sink information.    -   13. Application UA 504 requests FLUS Control Source 410 to        establish the FLUS session.    -   14. FLUS Control Source 410 establishes the FLUS session and        acknowledges application UA 504.    -   15. Application UA 504 start ingesting the content.    -   16. The session runs    -   17. Application UA 504 requests application EA 508 to end the        session.    -   18. Application EA 508 requests NBMP Source 310 to stop the NBMP        workflow.    -   19. NBMP Source 310 acknowledge s the stopping of the NBMP        session.    -   20. Application EA 508 acknowledges application UA 504 the        stopping of the workflow.    -   21. Application UA 504 requests FLUS Control Sink 424 to stop        the FLUS session.

Table 1 shows the required standard interfaces in the scenario of FIG. 6:

TABLE 1 Required Standard APIs for NBMP in Application Server StandardFLUS F-C, F-U, F1 NBMP N4, F2

FIG. 7 illustrates an architecture 700 in which elements fromarchitecture 500 of FIG. 5 are combined with elements from architecture300 of FIG. 3 . In order to avoid unnecessary duplication, redundantdescription has been omitted. As can be seen in FIG. 7 , in architecture700, external application server 506 includes NBMP source 310 and NBMPworkflow manager 320, and sink 502 includes media processing entity 350.

Referring to FIG. 7 , an example of steps of establishing, operating,and tearing down a FLUS-NBMP session using architecture 700 may proceedas follows:

-   -   1. Application UA 504 makes a request through link F8 to        application EA 508 to start a live session.    -   2. Application EA 508 retrieves the user profile and identifies        the resources needed to run the service.    -   3. Application EA 508 requests the list of FLUS Sinks and their        capabilities from Sink Discovery Server (not shown).    -   4. Application EA 508 picks Sink 502 that can run the workflow        in its MPE 350 and find its MPE address and MPE APIs in its        capabilities.    -   5. Application EA 508 requests NBMP Source 310 to start an NBMP        Workflow with FLUS Media Sink 426 Address.    -   6. NBMP Source 310 builds the WDD, and requests NBMP Workflow        Manager 320 to instantiate the Workflow, with the assigned MPE        350.    -   7. NBMP Workflow Manager 320 instantiates the workflow in the        assigned MPE 350.    -   8. NBMP Workflow Manager 320 responds to NBMP Source 310 with        updated WDD.    -   9. NBMP Source 310 acknowledges workflow instantiation to        application EA 508.    -   10. Application EA 508 responds to application UA 504 with Sink        Control and Media Sink information.    -   11. Application UA 504 requests FLUS Control Source 410 to        establish the FLUS session    -   12. FLUS Control Source 410 establishes the FLUS session and        acknowledges application UA 504    -   13. Application UA 504 start ingesting the content.    -   14. The session runs    -   15. Application UA 504 requests application EA 508 to end the        session.    -   16. Application EA 508 request NBMP Source 310 to stop the NBMP        workflow.    -   17. NBMP Source 310 acknowledges the stopping of the NBMP        session.    -   18. Application EA 508 acknowledges application UA 504 the        stopping of the workflow.    -   19. Application UA 504 requests FLUS Control Sink 424 to stop        the FLUS session.

In the above, italicized text illustrates differences in the call-flowfrom the previous scenario.

Table 2 shows the required standard interfaces in scenario of FIG. 7 :

TABLE 2 Required Standard APIs for NBMP in Application Server, MPE inSink Standard FLUS F-C, F-U, F1 NBMP N4, N3* *N3 may be a closed APIimplemented by the application provider-operator agreement.

FIG. 8 illustrates an architecture 800 in which elements fromarchitecture 500 of FIG. 5 are combined with elements from architecture300 of FIG. 3 . In order to avoid unnecessary duplication, redundantdescription has been omitted. As can be seen in FIG. 8 , in architecture800, external application server 506 includes NBMP source 310, and sink502 includes media processing entity 350 and NBMP workflow manager 320.

Referring to FIG. 8 , an example of steps of establishing, operating,and tearing down a FLUS-NBMP session using architecture 800 may proceedas follows:

-   -   1. Application UA 504 makes a request through link F8 to        application EA 508 to start a live session.    -   2. Application EA 508 retrieves the user profile and identifies        the resources needed to run the service.    -   3. Application EA 508 requests the list of FLUS Sinks and their        capabilities from Sink Discovery Server (not shown).    -   4. Application EA 508 picks a Sink 502 that can run the workflow        in its MPE 350 and find its NBMP Workflow Manager 320 and FLUS        Media Sink 426 address in the Sink capabilities.    -   5. Application EA 508 requests NBMP Source 310 to start an NBMP        Workflow with FLUS Media Sink 426 Address.    -   6. NBMP Source builds the WDD, and requests NBMP Workflow        Manager 320 to instantiate the Workflow, with the assigned MPE        350.    -   7. NBMP Workflow Manage 320 r instantiates the workflow in the        assigned MPE 350.    -   8. NBMP Workflow Manager 320 responds to NBMP Source 310 with        updated WDD.    -   9. NBMP Source 310 acknowledges workflow instantiation to        application EA 508.    -   10. Application EA 508 responds to application UA 504 with Sink        Control and Media Sink information.    -   11. Application UA 504 requests FLUS Control Source 410 to        establish the FLUS session    -   12. FLUS Control Source 410 establishes the FLUS session and        acknowledges application UA 504    -   13. UA start ingesting the content.    -   14. The session runs    -   15. Application UA 504 requests application EA 508 to end the        session.    -   16. Application EA 508 request NBMP Source 310 to the stopping        of the NBMP workflow.    -   17. NBMP Source 310 acknowledges the stopping of the NBMP        session.    -   18. Application EA 508 acknowledges application UA 504 the stop        of the workflow.    -   19. Application UA 504 requests FLUS Control Sink 424 to stop        the FLUS session.

In the above, italicized text illustrates differences in the call-flowfrom the previous scenarios.

Table 3 shows the required standard interfaces in the scenario of FIG. 8:

TABLE 3 NBMP Source in Application Server, NBMP Workflow Manager and MPEin Sink Standard FLUS F-C, F-U, F1 NBMP N2, N4

FIG. 9 illustrates an architecture 900 in which elements fromarchitecture 500 of FIG. 5 are combined with elements from architecture300 of FIG. 3 . In order to avoid unnecessary duplication, redundantdescription has been omitted. As can be seen in FIG. 9 , in architecture900, FLUS control source 410 includes NBMP source 310, and sink 502includes media processing entity 350 and NBMP workflow manager 320.

Referring to FIG. 9 , an example of steps of establishing, operating,and tearing down a FLUS-NBMP session using architecture 900 may proceedas follows:

-   -   1. Application UA 504 makes a request through link F8 to        application EA 508 to start a live session.    -   2. Application EA 508 retrieves the user profile and identifies        the resources needed to run the service.    -   3. Application EA 508 requests the list of FLUS Sinks and their        capabilities from Sink Discovery Server (not shown).    -   4. Application EA 508 picks a Sink 502 that can run the workflow        in its MPE 350 and find its NBMP Workflow Manager 320 and Media        Sink 426 address in the Sink capabilities.    -   5. Application EA 508 responds to UE with the full URL or a        relative URL of the NBMP Workflow Manager 320 through FLUS        Control Sink 424.    -   6. Application UA 504 requests FLUS Control Source 410 to        establish the FLUS session.    -   7. FLUS Control Source 410 establishes the FLUS session and        acknowledges application UA 504.    -   8. EA requests NBMP Source 310 start the workflow.    -   9. NBMP Source 310 builds WDD, and requests NBMP Workflow        Manager 320 (directly or through FLUS Control Sink 424) to        instantiate the Workflow    -   10. NBMP Workflow Manager 320 instantiates the workflow in the        MPE 350.    -   11. NBMP Workflow Manager 320 responds to NBMP Source 310 with        updated WDD.    -   12. NBMP Source 310 acknowledges workflow instantiation to        application UA 504.    -   13. Application UA 504 start ingesting the content.    -   14. The session runs    -   15. Application UA 504 requests FLUS Control Source 410 to end        the session.    -   16. NBMP Source 310 request NBMP Workflow Manager 320 to stop        the workflow    -   17. FLUS Control Source 410 request to end the FLUS Session.

In the above, italicized text illustrates differences in the call-flowfrom the previous scenarios.

Table 4 shows the required standard interfaces in the scenario of FIG. 9:

TABLE 4 NBMP Source in FLUS Control Source, NBMP Workflow Manager andMPE in Sink Standard FLUS F-C*, F-U, F1 NBMP N4 *With the support ofNBMP Workflow Manager APIs

Table 5 shows a summary of deployment scenarios.

TABLE 5 Summary of the deployment scenarios Scenario Standard API NBMPin Application Server FLUS F-C, F-U, F1 (FIG. 6) NBMP N4, F2 NBMP inApplication Server, FLUS F-C, F-U, F1 MPE in Sink (FIG. 7) NBMP N4, N3*NBMP Source in Application FLUS F-C, F-U, F1 Server, NBMP WorkflowManager, NBMP N2, N4 and MPE in Sink (FIG. 8) NBMP Source in FLUSControl FLUS F-C ** , F-U, F1 Source, NBMP Workflow Manager NBMP N4 andMPE in Sink (FIG. 9) *N3 may be a closed API implemented by Applicationprovider-operator agreement. **With the support of NBMP Workflow ManagerAPIs

Accordingly, embodiments may provide a method for deployment of the NBMPworkflow management in 5G FLUS environment wherein 4 different scenariosis considered, including implementing a) NBMP in Application Server, b)NBMP in Application Server, MPE in Sink, c) NBMP Source in ApplicationServer, and d) NBMP Workflow Manager and MPE in Sink NBMP Source in FLUSControl Source, NBMP Workflow Manager and MPE in Sink, wherein in eachscenario the NBMP module may be implemented in a different module of theFLUS architecture, wherein for each scenario the APIs between NBMP andFLUS are defined, where APIs are divided to the APIs according to theNBMP standard, the APIs according to the 3GPP FLUS standard, theinternal APIs for each module and the private APIs between the serviceprovider and the operator.

Further, embodiments may provide methods including separate call flowsfor the establishment, management, and tears down of NBMP-FLUS jointsession for each of the four scenarios above, wherein each case's callflow, an NBMP and a FLUS session are set up, where appropriateinformation is exchanged through the APIs defined above to establish andmanage a joint session where the content is up-streamed from the deviceto the network using FLUS and then it is processed in a cloud or edgeservice using the NBMP standard.

In addition, embodiments may provide interfaces, workflow, and procedurefor the discovery of the FLUS media network processing capabilitiesusing 5G edge data architecture. This functionality allows the externalapplication servers to learn about the current capabilities of the 5Gnetwork before requesting to set up network-based processing with FLUS.

The current 3GPP FLUS protocol supports including NBMP WorkflowDescription Document (WDD) as part of the session control update by thesource device. However, it does not address the discovery of networkprocessing capabilities of different edge servers for the FLUS service.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of a media architecture 1000 for media streaming.In embodiments, media architecture 1000 may be used for uplink streamingor downlink streaming. A 5G media streaming uplink (5GMS) ApplicationProvider 1001 may use 5GMS for streaming services. 5GMS Applicationprovider 1001 may provide a 5GMS Aware Application 1002 on the UE 1003to make use of 5GMS Client 1004 and network functions using interfacesand APIs defined in 5GMS. 5GMS Application Server (AS) may be an ASdedicated to 5G Media Streaming. 5GMS Client 1004 may be a UE 1003internal function dedicated to 5G Media Streaming.

5GMS Application Function (AF) 1006 and 5GMS AS 1005 may be Data Network(DN) 1007 functions. Functions in trusted DNs may be trusted by theoperator's network. Therefore, AFs in trusted DNs may directlycommunicate with all 5G Core functions. Functions in external DNs mayonly communicate with 5G Core functions via the Network ExposureFunction (NEF) 1008 using link N33.

The media architecture 1000 may connect UE 1003 internal functions andrelated network functions for 5G Media Uplink Streaming. Accordingly,media architecture 1000 may include a number of functions. For example,5GMS Client 1004 on UE 1003 may be an originator of 5GMS service thatmay be accessed through interfaces/APIs. 5GMS Client 1004 may includetwo sub-functions, media session handler (MSH) 1009 and media streamer1010. MSH 1009 may communicate with the 5GMS AF 1006 in order toestablish, control and support the delivery of a media session. The MSH1009 may expose APIs that can be used by the 5GMS Aware Application1002. Media Streamer 1010 may communicate with 5GMS AS 1005 in order tostream the media content and provide a service to the 5GMS AwareApplication 1002 for media capturing and streaming, and the MSH 1009 formedia session control. 5GMS Aware Application 1002 may control 5GMSClient 1003 by implementing external application or content serviceprovider specific logic and enabling the establishment of a mediasession. 5GMS AS 1005 may host 5G media functions. 5GMS ApplicationProvider 1001 may be an external application or content specific mediafunctionality, e.g., media storage, consumption, transcoding andredistribution that uses 5GMS to stream media from 5GMS AwareApplication 1002. 5GMS AF 1006 may provide various control functions tothe MSH 1009 on the UE 1003 and/or to 5GMS Application Provider 1001.5GMS AF 1006 may relay or initiate a request for different Policy orCharging Function (PCF) 1011 treatment or interact with other networkfunctions.

Media architecture 1000 may include a number of different interfaces.For example, link M1 may be a 5GMS Provisioning API exposed by 5GMS AF1006 to provision usage of media architecture 1000 and to obtainfeedback. Link M2 may be a 5GMS Publish API exposed by 5GMS AS 1005 andused when 5GMS AS 1005 in trusted DN, such as DN 1007, is selected toreceive content for streaming service. Link M3 may be an internal APIused to exchange information for content hosting on 5GMS AS 1005 withina trusted DN such as DN 1007. Link M4 may be a Media Uplink StreamingAPI exposed by 5GMS AS 1023 to Media Streamer 1010 to stream mediacontent. Link M5 may be a Media Session Handling API exposed by 5GMS AF1005 to Media Session Handler for media session handling, control andassistance that also include appropriate security mechanisms e.g.authorization and authentication. Link M6 may be a UE 1003 Media SessionHandling API exposed by MSH 1009 to 5GMS Aware Application 1002 to makeuse of 5GMS functions. Link M7 may be a UE Media Streamer API exposed byMedia Streamer 1010 to 5GMS Aware Application 1002 and MSH 1009 to makeuse of Media Streamer 1010. Link M8 may be an Application API which isused for information exchange between 5GMS Aware Application 1002 and5GMS Application Provider 1001, for example to provide service accessinformation to the 5GMS Aware Application 1002.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of a 5G edge network architecture 1100, accordingto embodiments. Edge Data Network (EDN) 1101 is a local Data Network.Edge Application Server (EAS) 1102 and Edge Enabler Server (EES) 1103are contained within the EDN 1101. Edge Configuration Server (ECS) 1104provides configurations related to EES 1103, including details of EDN1101 hosting EES 1103. User Equipment (UE) 1105 contains ApplicationClient (AC) 1106 and Edge Enabler Client (EEC) 1107. EAS 1102, EES 1103and ECS 1104 may interact with the 3GPP Core Network 1108.

EES 1103 provides supporting functions needed for EAS 1102 and EEC 1107.Functionalities of EES 1103 may include: provisioning of configurationinformation to EEC 1107, enabling exchange of application data trafficwith EAS; supporting the functionalities of API invoker and API exposingfunction, for example as specified in 3GPP TS 23.222; interacting with3GPP Core Network 1108 for accessing the capabilities of networkfunctions either directly (e.g. via PCF) or indirectly (e.g. via ServiceCapability Exposure Function (SCEF)/NEF/SCEF+NEF); supporting thefunctionalities of application context transfer; supporting externalexposure of 3GPP network and service capabilities to EASs 1102 over linkEDGE-3; supporting the functionalities of registration (i.e.,registration, update, and de-registration) for EEC 1107 and EAS; andsupporting the functionalities of triggering EAS 1102 instantiation ondemand.

EEC 1107 provides supporting functions needed for AC. Functionalities ofEEC 1107 may include: retrieval and provisioning of configurationinformation to enable the exchange of Application Data Traffic with EAS1102; and discovery of EASs 1102 available in the EDN 1101.

ECS 1104 provides supporting functions needed for the EEC 1107 toconnect with an EES 1103. Functionalities of ECS 1104 are: provisioningof Edge configuration information to the EEC 1107, for example theinformation for the EEC 1107 to connect to the EES 1103 (e.g. servicearea information applicable to LADN); and the information forestablishing a connection with EESs 1103 (such as URI); supporting thefunctionalities of registration (i.e., registration, update, andde-registration) for the EES 1103; supporting the functionalities of APIinvoker and API exposing function as specified in 3GPP TS 23.222; andinteracting with 3GPP Core Network 1108 for accessing the capabilitiesof network functions either directly (e.g. PCF) or indirectly (e.g. viaSCEF/NEF/SCEF+NEF).

AC 1106 is the application resident in the UE 1105 performing the clientfunction.

EAS 1102 is the application server resident in the EDN 1101, performingthe server functions. The AC 1106 connects to EAS 1102 in order to availthe services of the application with the benefits of Edge Computing. Itis possible that the server functions of an application are availableonly as an EAS 1102. However, it is also possible that certain serverfunctions are available both at the edge and in the cloud, as an EAS1102 and an Application Server resident in the cloud respectively. Theserver functions offered by an EAS 1102 and its cloud Application Servercounterpart may be the same or may differ; if they differ, theApplication Data Traffic exchanged with the AC may also be different.EAS 1102 may consume the 3GPP Core Network 1108 capabilities indifferent ways, such as: it may invoke 3GPP Core Network 1108 functionAPIs directly, if it is an entity trusted by the 3GPP Core Network 1108;it may invoke 3GPP Core Network 1108 capabilities through EES 1103; andit may invoke the 3GPP Core Network 1108 capability through thecapability exposure functions i.e. SCEF or NEF.

Architecture 1100 may include a number of different interfaces forenabling edge applications, which may be referred to as referencepoints. For example, link EDGE-1 may be a reference point which enablesinteractions between the EES 1103 and the EEC 1107. It supports:registration and de-registration of EEC 1107 to EES 1103; retrieval andprovisioning of EAS 1102 configuration information; and discovery ofEASs 1102 available in the EDN 1101.

Link EDGE-2 may be a reference point which enables interactions betweenEES 1103 and the 3GPP Core Network 1108. It supports: access to 3GPPCore Network 1108 functions and APIs for retrieval of network capabilityinformation, e.g. via SCEF and NEF APIs as defined in 3GPP TS 23.501,3GPP TS 23.502, 3GPP TS 29.522, 3GPP TS 23.682, 3GPP TS 29.122; or withEES 1103 deployed within the MNO trust domain (see 3GPP TS 23.501 clause5.13, 3GPP TS 23.503, 3GPP TS 23.682). Link EDGE-2 may reuse 3GPPreference points or interfaces of EPS or 5GS considering differentdeployment models.

Link EDGE-3 may be a reference point which enables interactions betweenEES 1103 and EASs 1102. It supports: registration of EASs 1102 withavailability information (e.g. time constraints, location constraints);de-registration of EASs 1102 from EES 1103; discovery of target EAS 1102information to support application context transfer; providing access tonetwork capability information (e.g. location information, Quality ofService (QoS) related information); and requesting the setup of a datasession between AC and EAS 1102 with a specific QoS.

Link EDGE-4 may be a reference point which enables interactions betweenECS 1104 and EEC 1107. It supports: provisioning of Edge configurationinformation to the EEC 1107.

Link EDGE-5 may be a reference point which enables interactions betweenAC and EEC 1107.

Link EDGE-6 may be a reference point which enables interactions betweenECS 1104 and EES 1103. It supports: registration of EES 1103 informationto ECS 1104.

Link EDGE-7 may be a reference point which enables interactions betweenEAS 1102 and the 3GPP Core Network 1108. It supports: access to 3GPPCore Network 1108 functions and APIs for retrieval of network capabilityinformation, e.g. via SCEF and NEF APIs as defined in 3GPP TS 23.501,3GPP TS 23.502, 3GPP TS 29.522, 3GPP TS 23.682, 3GPP TS 29.122; or withEAS 1102 deployed within the MNO trust domain (see 3GPP TS 23.501 clause5.13, 3GPP TS 23.682). Link EDGE-7 may reuse 3GPP reference points orinterfaces of EPS or 5GS considering different deployment models.

Link EDGE-8 may be a reference point which enables interactions betweenthe ECS 1104 and the 3GPP Core Network 1108. It supports: a) access to3GPP Core Network 1108 functions and APIs for retrieval of networkcapability information, e.g. via SCEF and NEF APIs as defined in 3GPP TS23.501, 3GPP TS 23.502, 3GPP TS 29.522, 3GPP TS 23.682, 3GPP TS 29.122;and with the ECS 1104 deployed within the MNO trust domain (see 3GPP TS23.501 clause 5.13, 3GPP TS 23.682). Link EDGE-8 may reuse 3GPPreference points or interfaces of EPS or 5GS considering differentdeployment models.

FIG. 12 illustrates an architecture 1200 in which elements fromarchitecture 1100 of FIG. 11 are combined with elements fromarchitecture 1000 of FIG. 10 . In order to avoid unnecessaryduplication, redundant description has been omitted.

As shown in FIG. 12 , link EDGE-9 allows communication between EAS 1102and 5GMS AP 1001, link EDGE-10 allows communication between EES 1103 and5GMS AP 1001, and link EDGE-11 allows communication between ECS 1104 and5GMS AP 1001.

FIG. 13 illustrates a process 1300 which may relate to a call flow fordiscovering Edge Data Network 1101 capabilities. Process 1300 may beperformed using architecture 1200, architecture 1000 discussed below, orany other architecture as desired.

Process 1300 may extend the TS23.558 APIs to enable the discovery ofmedia capabilities of the Edge Data networks by the 5GMS AP 1001.

According to process 1300, at operation 13010, 5GMS AP 1001 may send arequest for provisioning to ECS 1104 using link EDGE-11. At operation13020, ECS 1104 provisions and provides a list of EESs 1103 to 5GMS AP1001 using link EDGE-11. At operation 13030, 5GMS AP 1001 requestsregistration from an EES 1103 included in the list of EESs 1103 usinglink EDGE-10. At operation 13040, EES 1103 registers and provides a listand locations of EASs 1102 to 5GMS AP 1001 using link EDGE-10. Atoperation 13050, 5GMS AP 1001 may request a service from an EAS 1102included in the list of EASs 1102 using link EDGE-9. At operation 13050,EAS 1102 starts running the service and confirms the service to 5GMS AP1001 using link EDGE-9, and 5GMS AP 1001 connects to EAS 1102 and usesthe service.

FIG. 14 illustrates an architecture 1400 in which elements fromarchitecture 500 of FIG. 5 are combined with elements from architecture1200 of FIG. 12 . In order to avoid unnecessary duplication, redundantdescription has been omitted. As can be seen in FIG. 14 , inarchitecture 1400, UE 1105 includes FLUS source 408, FLUS control source410, and FLUS media source 412, and DN 1007 includes FLUS control sink7424 and FLUS media sink 426.

In the example architecture 1400 shown in FIG. 14 and elsewhere in thepresent disclosure, FLUS Control Sink 424 and FLUS Media Sink 426 aswell as ECS 1104 and EES 1103 are logical entities. All or some of themmay be combined when implemented. In addition, EASs 1102 are multipleentities. From FLUS point of view, all EAS 1102 entities are part of the5GMS Application Provider 1001. F2 provides the media flow between FLUSSink and 5GMS Application Provider 1001. Because (a part of) theapplication may be run on an EAS 1102, FLUS Media Sink 426 may beconnected to the EAS 1102 through 5GMS Application Provider 1001.

In embodiments, the 5GMS Application Provider 1001 may discover the listand location of the Edge Application Servers 1102 directly.

In embodiments, the 5GMS Application Provider 1001 may discover the EdgeApplication's capabilities directly.

In embodiments, the 5GMS Application Provider 1001 may requestservice(s) from Edge Application Server 1102 directly and instantiateand use those services.

In embodiments, the 5GMS Application Provider 1001 doesn't need to gothrough the UE 1105 to perform any above functions.

In embodiments, the same resources that UE 1105 uses to communicate withthe Edge Data Network 1007 can be used by the 5GMS Application Provider1001 and no new resources are needed.

In embodiments, the 5G edge architecture is combined with FLUSarchitecture, providing a mechanism to set up media services on edgeservers and providing a media flow between FLUS and Edge ApplicationServer(s).

Accordingly, embodiments may provide a method of combining 5G edge datanetwork and FLUS, wherein the two architecture are combined and controland data flow are arranged such that part of the media application maybe run on an Edge Application Server and the session can be establishedusing the standard processes of 5G edge networks and FLUS architecture.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart is an example process 1500 for processing mediacontent in Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) Network Based MediaProcessing (NBMP). In some implementations, one or more process blocksof FIG. 15 may be performed by one or more elements of any of thesystems or architectures discussed above.

As shown in FIG. 15 , process 1500 may include receiving, by a firstapplication operating on an application server, a live session requestfrom a second application operating on a user device separate from theapplication server to start a Framework for Live Uplink Streaming (FLUS)session (block 1502). In embodiments, the user device may correspond tothe first environment 402, and the application server may correspond toexternal application server 506.

As further shown in FIG. 15 , process 1500 may include obtaining a listof a plurality of FLUS sinks (block 1504).

As further shown in FIG. 15 , process 1500 may include selecting a FLUSmedia sink operating on a sink device from among the plurality of FLUSsinks, wherein the sink device is separate from the application serverand the user device (block 1506). In embodiments, the FLUS media sinkmay correspond to FLUS media sink 426, and the sink device maycorrespond to sink 502.

As further shown in FIG. 15 , process 1500 may include sending aworkflow request to an NBMP source to start an NBMP workflow associatedwith the FLUS media sink (block 1508). In embodiments, the NBMP sourcemay correspond to NBMP source 310.

As further shown in FIG. 15 , process 1500 may include sending aresponse to the second application including session information forestablishing the FLUS session using the NBMP workflow and the FLUS mediasink (block 1500).

In embodiments, the application server may include the NBMP source, anNBMP workflow manager, and at least one media processing entity, thesink device may include a FLUS control sink, and the user device mayinclude a FLUS control source and a FLUS media source. In embodiments,the NBMP workflow manager may correspond to NBMP workflow manager 320,the at least one media processing entity may correspond to mediaprocessing entity 350, the FLUS control sink may correspond to FLUScontrol sink 424, the FLUS control source may correspond to FLUS controlsource 410, and the FLUS media source may correspond to one or more ofNBMP media source 360, FLUS media source 412 and NBMP/FLUS media course602.

In embodiments, a workflow description document corresponding to theNBMP workflow may be constructed by the NBMP source and instantiated bythe NBMP workflow manager, and wherein the session information mayinclude sink control information corresponding to the FLUS control sinkand media sink information corresponding to the FLUS media sink.

In embodiments, the application server may include the NBMP source andthe NBMP workflow manager, the sink device may include the FLUS controlsink and the at least one media processing entity, and the user devicemay include the FLUS control source and the FLUS media source.

In embodiments, the FLUS media sink may be selected based on acapability of the at least one media processing entity, the workflowrequest may include address information of the FLUS media sink, aworkflow description document corresponding to the NBMP workflow may beconstructed by the NBMP source and instantiated by the NBMP workflowmanager in the at least one media processing entity, and the sessioninformation may include sink control information corresponding to theFLUS control sink and media sink information corresponding to the FLUSmedia sink.

In embodiments, the application server may include the NBMP source, thesink device may include the FLUS control sink, the NBMP workflowmanager, and the at least one media processing entity, and the userdevice may include the FLUS control source and the FLUS media source.

In embodiments the FLUS media sink may be selected based on a capabilityof the at least one media processing entity, the workflow request mayinclude address information of the FLUS media sink, a workflowdescription document corresponding to the NBMP workflow is constructedby the NBMP source and instantiated by the NBMP workflow manager in theat least one media processing entity, and the session information mayinclude sink control information corresponding to the FLUS control sinkand media sink information corresponding to the FLUS media sink.

In embodiment, the sink device may include the FLUS control sink, theNBMP workflow manager, and the at least one media processing entity, andthe user device may include the FLUS control source, the FLUS mediasource, and the NBMP source.

In embodiments, a workflow description document corresponding to theNBMP workflow may be constructed by the NBMP source and instantiated bythe NBMP workflow manager, and the session information may includeaddress information of the NBMP workflow manager.

In embodiments, the user device may include an edge enabler client. Inembodiments, the edge enabler client may correspond to edge enablerclient 1107.

Although FIG. 15 shows example blocks of process 1500, in someimplementations, process 1500 may include additional blocks, fewerblocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than thosedepicted in FIG. 15 . Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of theblocks of process 1500 may be performed in parallel.

Further, the proposed methods may be implemented by processing circuitry(e.g., one or more processors or one or more integrated circuits). Inone example, the one or more processors execute a program that is storedin a non-transitory computer-readable medium to perform one or more ofthe proposed methods.

The techniques described above can be implemented as computer softwareusing computer-readable instructions and physically stored in one ormore computer-readable media.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may be used separately or combinedin any order. Further, each of the embodiments (and methods thereof) maybe implemented by processing circuitry (e.g., one or more processors orone or more integrated circuits). In one example, the one or moreprocessors execute a program that is stored in a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium.

The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to theprecise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible inlight of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of theimplementations.

As used herein, the term component is intended to be broadly construedas hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software.

Even though combinations of features are recited in the claims and/ordisclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended tolimit the disclosure of possible implementations. In fact, many of thesefeatures may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claimsand/or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claimlisted below may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosure ofpossible implementations includes each dependent claim in combinationwith every other claim in the claim set.

No element, act, or instruction used herein should be construed ascritical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as usedherein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or moreitems, and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Furthermore,as used herein, the term “set” is intended to include one or more items(e.g., related items, unrelated items, a combination of related andunrelated items, etc.), and may be used interchangeably with “one ormore.” Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similarlanguage is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,”“having,” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, thephrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on”unless explicitly stated otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of processing media content usingFramework for Live Uplink Streaming (FLUS) and 5th Generation MediaStreaming (5GMS) Edge Data Network (EDN), the method being performed byat least one processor, and the method comprising: transmitting, by a5GMS Application Provider (AP), one or more provisioning requests to anEdge Configuration Server (ECS) associated with the 5GMS EDN; obtaining,by the 5GMS AP, a first list of Edge Enabler Servers (EES) associatedwith the 5GMS EDN from the ECS; obtaining, by the 5GMS AP from a firstEES from among the first list, a second list of Edge Application Servers(EAS) associated with the 5GMS EDN, the second list comprising locationsof one or more EAS associated with the 5GMS EDN; and connecting, the5GMS AP with a first EAS from among the second list, for processingmedia content.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the 5GMS AP comprisesan ECS interface, one or more EES interfaces, and one or more EASinterfaces.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the connecting by the 5GMSAP with the first EAS comprises: requesting, by the 5GMS AP, a servicefor processing the media content from the first EAS; and receiving, bythe 5GMS AP from the first EAS, confirmation of the service forprocessing the media content.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein theconfirmation of the service for processing the media content is receivedby the 5GMS AP from the first EAS subsequent to the first EAS startingthe service for processing the media content.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the first EAS is selected based on one or more of a location ofthe first EAS or a processing capacity of the first EAS.
 6. The methodof claim 1, wherein prior to obtaining the second list, the methodcomprises transmitting, by the 5GMS AP, one or more registrationrequests to the first EES.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein theconnecting of the 5GMS AP with the first EAS is established withoutusing a user electronic device.
 8. An apparatus for processing mediacontent using Framework for Live Uplink Streaming (FLUS) and 5thGeneration Media Streaming (5GMS) Edge Data Network (EDN), the apparatuscomprising: at least one memory configured to store computer programcode; and at least one processor configured to access the at least onememory and operate according to the computer program code, the computerprogram code comprising: first transmitting code configured to cause theat least one processor to transmit, from a 5GMS Application Provider(AP), one or more provisioning requests to an Edge Configuration Server(ECS) associated with the 5GMS EDN; first obtaining code configured tocause the at least one processor to obtain, by the 5GMS AP, a first listof Edge Enabler Servers (EES) associated with the 5GMS EDN from the ECS;second obtaining code configured to cause the at least one processor toobtain, by the 5GMS AP from a first EES from among the first list, asecond list of Edge Application Servers (EAS) associated with the 5GMSEDN, the second list comprising locations of one or more EAS associatedwith the 5GMS EDN; and connecting code configured to cause the at leastone processor to connect, the 5GMS AP with a first EAS from among thesecond list, for processing media content.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8,wherein the 5GMS AP comprises an ECS interface, one or more EESinterfaces, and one or more EAS interfaces.
 10. The apparatus of claim8, wherein the connecting code comprises: requesting code configured tocause the at least one processor to request, by the 5GMS AP, a servicefor processing the media content from the first EAS; and receiving codeconfigured to cause the at least one processor to receive, by the 5GMSAP from the first EAS, confirmation of the service for processing themedia content.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the confirmationof the service for processing the media content is received by the 5GMSAP from the first EAS subsequent to the first EAS starting the servicefor processing the media content.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8, whereinthe first EAS is selected based on one or more of a location of thefirst EAS or a processing capacity of the first EAS.
 13. The apparatusof claim 8, wherein prior to the second obtaining code, the computerprogram code further comprises second transmitting code configured tocause the at least one processor to transmit, from the 5GMS AP, one ormore registration requests to the first EES.
 14. The apparatus of claim8, wherein the connecting of the 5GMS AP with the first EAS isestablished without using a user electronic device.
 15. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, whenexecuted by at least one processor for processing media content usingFramework for Live Uplink Streaming (FLUS) and 5th Generation MediaStreaming (5GMS) Edge Data Network (EDN), cause the at least oneprocessor to: transmit, from a 5GMS Application Provider (AP), one ormore provisioning requests to an Edge Configuration Server (ECS)associated with the 5GMS EDN; obtain, by the 5GMS AP, a first list ofEdge Enabler Servers (EES) associated with the 5GMS EDN from the ECS;obtain, by the 5GMS AP from a first EES from among the first list, asecond list of Edge Application Servers (EAS) associated with the 5GMSEDN, the second list comprising locations of one or more EAS associatedwith the 5GMS EDN; and connect, the 5GMS AP with a first EAS from amongthe second list, for processing media content.
 16. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the 5GMS APcomprises an ECS interface, one or more EES interfaces, and one or moreEAS interfaces.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumof claim 15, wherein the connecting by the 5GMS AP with the first EAScomprises: requesting, by the 5GMS AP, a service for processing themedia content from the first EAS; and receiving, by the 5GMS AP from thefirst EAS, confirmation of the service for processing the media content.18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 17,wherein the confirmation of the service for processing the media contentis received by the 5GMS AP from the first EAS subsequent to the firstEAS starting the service for processing the media content.
 19. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein thefirst EAS is selected based on one or more of a location of the firstEAS or a processing capacity of the first EAS.
 20. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein prior to obtainingthe second list, the method comprises transmitting, by the 5GMS AP, oneor more registration requests to the first EES.